Review of the southeast Asian millipede genus Antheromorpha Jeekel, 1968 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae)

Abstract

The genus Antheromorpha is redefined and shown to comprise 11 valid species: A. miranda (Pocock, 1895), A. bistriata (Pocock, 1895), A. comotti (Pocock, 1895), A. festiva (Brölemann, 1896), A. harpaga (Attems, 1937), A. mediovirgata (Carl, 1941), A. minlana (Pocock, 1895), A. pardalis (Pocock, 1895), A. paviei (Brölemann, 1896), comb. n., A. rosea Golovatch, 2013 and A. uncinata (Attems, 1931). Three new synonymies are proposed: A. bivittata (Pocock, 1895) and A. melanopleuris (Pocock, 1895) are synonymized under A. miranda (Pocock, 1895), and A. orophila (Carl, 1941) under A. comotti (Pocock, 1895). Detailed descriptions and illustrations of fresh material from Thailand and Malaysia are given, especially regarding colour patterns which appear to be crucial for accurate species identifications. Two Antheromorpha species proposed by Attems are redescribed, based on type material. The genus is rediagnosed and a key and a distribution map are also provided. At least in Thailand, adult A. rosea have been found to occur every year only for one or two weeks in September or October, disappearing thereafter.